Responding effectively to domestic violence

Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee of Nipissing
News Release

*******************

The Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee of Nipissing will be hosting a free two-day conference February 20th and 21st at Nipissing University.

Responding effectively to domestic violence takes an entire community, and for that reason, the goals for this conference are threefold. Firstly, it is designed to bring education and awareness to individuals who want to learn more about domestic violence itself. Secondly, it will help bring a greater understanding of how various systems and services respond to victims and abusers within our community. Finally, it will provide practical tools and resources centering on how to help impacted individuals.

“We have a number of key services within our community, including those within the criminal justice system, health care system, shelter and other victim services, that respond to domestic violence every day”, says Brigitte Laplante, Domestic Violence Crown Attorney and Chair of the Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee. “It is important that everyone understand not only where these services are but how they respond.”

Traditionally, many women leaving abusive relationships have felt “revictimized” within the systems and services they access for help. Our goal is to minimize this experience through education and awareness as well as enhancing and broadening our community response.

Keynote speaker on day one of the conference will be Deborah Sinclair from Toronto. Sinclair has been in the forefront of the movement to end violence against women and children for more than 20 years. She is a member of the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee, an expert advisory committee of the Chief Coroner’s office.

The conference is open to anyone living and/or working in the Nipissing District. If you are interested in attending or would like more information about this two day conference contact Linda Milne at 472-1946 or e-mail [email protected]. Deadline for registration is January 31, 2008.

*******************